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SaskPower Met Significant Growth in Power Demand Over 2017-18

July 09, 2018

In 2017‐18, SaskPower invested $996 million into the provincial power grid. The investment represents important projects to update the aging power grid in order to improve the reliability of the network, and continue to support economic growth in the province. While meeting a 5.4% increase in power demand, SaskPower also kept on track to meet and exceed federal emission regulations by 2030.

“SaskPower continues to invest in our growing population and economy,” said Minister Responsible for SaskPower Dustin Duncan. “We need reliable, cost‐effective electricity to maintain our quality of life, to keep our industries competitive and to continue job growth in Saskatchewan. We also need environmentally sustainable power and that’s why SaskPower is leading the way to cut its emissions by 40% from 2005 levels, by 2030. We continue to show that we can manage and reduce our environmental impact in an economically responsible way.”

SaskPower forecasts continued growth in power demand.

“Every winter, we continue to see new peak power demand records being set,” said SaskPower President and CEO Mike Marsh. “The increase in energy use last year is the equivalent of adding 150,000 homes onto the grid. That’s why we will continue to invest approximately a billion dollars annually in updating and growing electrical infrastructure in the province.”

In 2017‐18, SaskPower recorded a net income of $146 million, up from $56 million in 2016‐17. This result was primarily due to lower natural gas prices, the significant increase in demand, and recent rate increases. This brings SaskPower’s debt ratio to 74.9%, within the company’s target range.

While investing in infrastructure, SaskPower continued to optimise its internal costs. Since 2015, the corporation has saved $115 million in budgeted operation, maintenance and administration spending. SaskPower was also honoured once again this year with recognition as one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers, Canada’s Top Diversity Employers and Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.

On time and on budget, construction is halfway complete on the Chinook Power Station, a 350 MW natural gas plant, near Swift Current

Construction also continued on the $231 million, 200‐kilometer transmission line from Swift Current to Moose Jaw

The carbon capture and storage process at Boundary Dam Power Station surpassed two million tonnes of captured carbon dioxide since start‐up, the equivalent of removing 500,000 vehicles from Saskatchewan roads

We concluded the competitive process on Saskatchewan’s first 10 MW utility‐scale solar project

The request for proposals for up to 200 megawatts of new wind generation was completed, and an announcement is expected this fall

The corporation invested $153 million to connect new customers to the grid

The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business awarded SaskPower with Progressive Aboriginal Relations Gold level certification

SaskPower allocated $1.7 million in educational programming and community investment

#Powering2030

This release is supplemented by a second release outlining SaskPower’s progress towards a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels, by 2030, including decisions on carbon capture and storage.

At a glance...

Energy use grew 5.4% in 2017‐18, the equivalent of powering 150,000 homes

SaskPower invested $996 million into the provincial power grid

2017‐18 net income was $146 million

Debt ratio returns to below 75%

Since 2015, SaskPower has saved $115 million in budgeted operational spending

SaskPower on track to achieve a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels, by 2030

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